The reocord of the 1st Congregational Church in Ledyard, New London County, CT, show that Orin Merwin was baptized as an adult on September 6, 1868 and admitted to the church on the same day. He was dismissed on June 16, 1872.

Orrin's youth was split between attendance in the district school and work on the farm where he was born. He attended college at Philips Academy, Andover, Mass., and was graduated from Yale in 1869. He studied law with Judge Thomas Wilson, of Winona, Minnesota, and being admitted to the bar, served as city attorney there for several years.

Gravemarker located in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT reads: " Orrin M. Son of Seth & Lucy A. Williams. Born in Ledyard Ct. Nov 17, 1845. Died at Winona, Minn. March 26, 1876." He was an attorney and a Judge in Winona.